The Effects of Green Tea on Bone Density

We all know that drinking green tea can be good for our health, but few of us understand just how beneficial it can be and the ailments we could consider using it for. One of those benefits that we may not have thought of is the effects that green tea can have on bone density, and the findings are quite surprising.

As we age, our bone density decreases. This leads to a higher likelihood of broken bones, and can often lead to conditions such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Up until now people have been advised to increase their intake of vitamins and minerals such as calcium to prevent the onset of such conditions, and now green tea is being touted as another great way to halt the effects of ageing on bone density.

In an attempt to see if these claims were true, several studies have been undertaken to look for a link between green tea consumption and increased bone density. One such study was conducted in 2006 by the University of Tokyo, and the effects appear to offer evidence than drinking green tea can indeed increase bone mineral density in participants.

The study looked at 655 women aged 60 and above. The participants answered questions about their green tea consumption and other health factors including diet and lifestyle, and then they had their bone mineral density measured and were tested for osteoporosis risk. The results showed that women who drank green tea at least 5 days per week had a significantly higher bone mineral density than those who drank it less than 5 times per week, and the results remained even when they were adjusted to include things like alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise level, age, BMI and other dietary factors.

The results of the study indicate that drinking green tea can have a significant impact on the bone density of the drinker, and a similar study conducted in Australia supported the findings. This study took 1,500 women aged between 70 and 85 and followed them over a period of 5 years. The study not only found that green tea drinkers had a 2.8% higher bone mineral density than non-tea drinkers, but it also found that those who drank green tea lost an average of only 1.6% bone mineral density over the course of the study compare to a 4% loss in those who didn’t drink green tea.

Both of these studies show just how beneficial green tea can be in relation to bone density, with researchers suggesting that it has just as much of an effect as calcium supplements or exercise. They also theorized as to why it could be so beneficial, with the results indicating that it was down to antioxidant content.

Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants, or, more specifically in this case, catechins. These catechins are said to build bone strength and attack the cells that destroy bone density, and they do this in a markedly similar way to prescribed osteoporosis drugs. But, while these drugs have a whole list of harmful side effects, green tea is completely safe and has a number of other health benefits as well, so should definitely be worth considering.

So, green tea really can have a positive impact on bone density, and drinking it on a regular basis can help to maintain bone density in a similar way to calcium supplements and even prescribed drugs. If you’re looking for a natural and effective way to improve bone density and to prevent the onset of osteoporosis and similar conditions, then make sure to add green tea into your daily diet.

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